Romero and Martinez, the ‘best, worst’ defenders of Argentina

The relentless fire at the heart of Argentina's defense has propelled them back to the World Cup final, but central defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez aren't just battling opposition forwards—they are taking on their critics in the English media.

Following Argentina’s dramatic semi-final triumph over England, Romero fired back at former Manchester United defender and television pundit Gary Neville, who had labeled the Tottenham and Manchester United duo the "best, worst centre-half pairing in the world." Neville had claimed the partnership frequently vacillated from the sublime to the ridiculous, suggesting they give away a goal every single game despite their jaw-dropping work rate for the national team.

"The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid," Romero shot back via DSports. "Hopefully, I won’t criticise a player or anyone. We are doing our best for our national team... For us, it is something really huge, and we feel the significance of this shirt like no one else."

The fierce, front-footed partnership is now just one victory away from securing back-to-back Copa América and World Cup titles for Argentina. It is a bond forged a decade ago during an under-19 friendly against Japan, but one that has truly blossomed into a near-telepathic understanding on the senior stage. Sources close to the squad note that the 28-year-old defenders rarely even need to speak on the pitch; a single glance is enough to dictate who presses high and who covers.

Off the pitch, their connection is just as tight. Alongside full-back Nahuel Molina, the pair form the squad's self-proclaimed "Palo Santo gang." Rooted in South American tradition, the trio famously burned palo santo incense in every player's room to banish mala energía (bad energy) following Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia at the previous World Cup.

Their respective journeys to this final, however, have been defined by contrasting battles with discipline and adversity in the Premier League.

Romero, who captained Tottenham to a Europa League title in 2025 under Thomas Frank before a mid-season MCL injury disrupted his 2026 campaign, has often courted controversy. The volatile defender has been sent off six times since the start of the 2021-22 season—more than any other Premier League player—and has occasionally clashed with club leadership over standards and squad depth. Yet, remarkably, Romero has never seen red in 57 appearances for his country.

Martínez’s hurdle has been physical resilience rather than discipline. The Manchester United center-back endured a grueling cycle of operations, missing a combined 11 months across 2023 and 2024 due to metatarsal and knee injuries, followed by a devastating ACL tear in February 2025. His emotional return to peak fitness in November culminated in a sensational tournament run, highlighted by a vital goal and a brilliant assist for Lionel Messi in the knockout stages.

Known for his uncompromising edge—which famously included an intense training-ground confrontation with former United manager Rúben Amorim over playing time—Martínez has brought a relentless mental toughness to Scaloni's back line. While Neville and critics point to their erratic moments at club level, both defenders consistently channel their fiery emotions into calculated tactical discipline when donning the blue and white stripes.

Sunday’s final against an unbeaten Spain side will not only decide the world champions but could also shape the club futures of Argentina's defensive anchors. With Martínez entering the final year of his Old Trafford contract and Romero heavily linked with a summer departure from Tottenham, another masterful defensive display on the world's biggest stage would provide the ultimate leverage—and give the "Palo Santo gang" the definitive last laugh over their detractors.